King James Version KJV
The Complete Jewish Bible CJB
1 Masters, give unto your servants that which is just and equal; knowing that ye also have a Master in heaven.
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Masters, treat your slaves justly and fairly. Remember that you too have a Master in heaven.
2 Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving;
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Keep persisting in prayer, staying alert in it and being thankful.
3 Withal praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds:
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Include prayer for us, too, that God may open a door for us to proclaim the message about the secret of the Messiah - for that is why I am in prison.
4 That I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak.
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And pray that I may speak, as I should, in a way that makes the message clear.
5 Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time.
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Behave wisely toward outsiders, making full use of every opportunity -
6 Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.
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let your conversation always be gracious and interesting, so that you will know how to respond to any particular individual.
7 All my state shall Tychicus declare unto you, who is a beloved brother, and a faithful minister and fellowservant in the Lord:
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Our dear brother Tychicus, who is a faithful worker and fellow-slave in the Lord, will give you all the news about me.
8 Whom I have sent unto you for the same purpose, that he might know your estate, and comfort your hearts;
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I have sent him to you for this very reason - so that you might know how we are, and so that he might encourage you.
9 With Onesimus, a faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They shall make known unto you all things which are done here.
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I have sent him with Onesimus, the dear and faithful brother, who is one of you; they will tell you everything that has happened here.
10 Aristarchus my fellowprisoner saluteth you, and Marcus, sister's son to Barnabas, (touching whom ye received commandments: if he come unto you, receive him;)
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Aristarchus, my fellow prisoner, sends greetings, as does Mark, Bar-Nabba's cousin, concerning whom you have received instructions - if he comes to you, welcome him.
11 And Jesus, which is called Justus, who are of the circumcision. These only are my fellowworkers unto the kingdom of God, which have been a comfort unto me.
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Yeshua, the one called Justus, also sends greetings. These three are among the Circumcised; and among my fellow workers for the Kingdom of God, only they have turned out to be a comfort to me.
12 Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, saluteth you, always labouring fervently for you in prayers, that ye may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God.
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Epaphras sends greetings; he is one of you, a slave of the Messiah Yeshua who always agonizes in his prayer on your behalf, praying that you may stand firm, mature and fully confident, as you devote yourselves completely to God's will.
13 For I bear him record, that he hath a great zeal for you, and them that are in Laodicea, and them in Hierapolis.
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For I can testify to him that he works hard for you and for those in Laodicea and Hierapolis.
14 Luke, the beloved physician, and Demas, greet you.
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Our dear friend Luke, the doctor, and Demas send you greetings.
15 Salute the brethren which are in Laodicea, and Nymphas, and the church which is in his house.
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Give my greetings to the brothers in Laodicea, also to Nympha and the congregation that meets in her home.
16 And when this epistle is read among you, cause that it be read also in the church of the Laodiceans; and that ye likewise read the epistle from Laodicea.
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After this letter has been read to you, have it read also in the congregation of the Laodiceans; and you, in turn, are to read the letter that will come from Laodicea.
17 And say to Archippus, Take heed to the ministry which thou hast received in the Lord, that thou fulfil it.
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And tell Archippus, "See that you complete the task you were given in the Lord."
18 The salutation by the hand of me Paul. Remember my bonds. Grace be with you. Amen. [Written from Rome to Colossians by Tychicus and Onesimus.]
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This greeting I, Sha'ul, write with my own hand. Remember my imprisonment! Grace be with you!
The King James Version is in the public domain.
Complete Jewish Bible Copyright 1998 by David H. Stern. Published by Jewish New Testament Publications, Inc. All rights reserved. Used by permission.